Roller applicator with axially-reciprocating-handle-operated valve



June 1963 H. E. BAAR ETAL ROLLER APPLIGATOR WITH AXIALLYRECIPROCATING-HANDLE-OPERATED VALVE Filed. June 23, .961

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. HOWARD E. BAAR MARTlN R. HUGHES Aflorneys H. E. BAAR ETAL 3,094,737

OPERATED VALVE June 25, 1963 ROLLER APPLICATOR WITH AXIALLY-RECIPROCATING-HANDLE- Filed June 23, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. HOWARD E. BAAR MARTIN R. HUGHES Afiorneys United States Patent 3,094,737 ROLLER APPLICATOR WITH AXIALLY-RECIPRO- CATING-HANDLE-OPERATED VALVE Howard E. Baar and Martin R. Hughes, Grand Rapids,

Mich., assignors to Bissell Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich.,

a corporation of Michigan Filed June 23, 1961, Ser. No. 119,152

Claims. (Cl. 15-588) This invention relates to an applicator device adapted for use in applying detergents or the like to surfaces, such as rugs or carpets.

The present invention constitutes an improvement over the structure shown in copending application Serial No. 832,677, filed August 10, 1959, entitled, Applicator Machine, and assigned to a common assignee.

In that application a receptacle for liquid is shown, together with valve means for discharging liquid from the receptacle onto the surface to be treated in automatic accordance with translation of the device over the surface.

The device of the present invention is similar to that shown in the copending application, except that the structure is substantially improved as to rigidity and accuracy in valve function with fewer and less costly parts.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a structure embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the structure of FIGURE 1 with parts being broken away and in section,

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2., with the handle in retracted or valve closing position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar \to FIG. 3 with the handle in valve opening position and with parts broken away and in section; and

FIG. 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 3.

As shown in the drawings, the apparatus includes a liquid receptacle 1 having a top wall with a centrally disposed opening 2 therein. Opening 2 is formed by an annular bearing flange 3 of substantial height which is formed integral with the main body of the receptacle. The diameter of opening 2 is about equivalent to the diameter of a rod-like handle 4 adapted to be received therethrough.

Handle 4 is of such length as to provide relatively easy manual manipulation of the appanatus by a standing operator. The handle must be relatively rigid, and may be tubular or solid as desired.

In the embodiment illustrated, receptacle 1 is of generally rectangular configuration and of substantially greater height than width, and may be formed of molded plastic which is reasonably rigid but slightly flexible.

The lower side wall portions of receptacle 1 are provided with a continuous oifset or outwardly projecting shoulder 5 which extends around the outside thereof. Internally, a flange 6 extends downwardly from adjacent shoulder 5 to provide a continuous groove 7 between flange 6 and the outwardly oifset portion of the receptacle wall.

The front wall of the device is of greater height than the rear wall.

A partition 8 is disposed within the receptacle walls and is provided with an upwardly facing groove 9 which receives flange 6, and with an upwardly projecting flange 10 fittingly received within groove 7.

Partition 8 thus forms the bottom of the receptacle. To assure a liquid-tight joint, the parts may be fused together and sealed in any suitable manner.

3,094,737 Patented June 25, 1963 Partition 8 includes a central distributing channel (11 which extends panallel to the front and rear walls of receptacle 1 and substantially the full width thereof. Channel 11 is closed at the bottom by a distributor strip 1 2 having a series of longitudinally spaced discharge holes 13 therein, and which is glued or otherwise sealed to the downward depending sides and ends of the channel.

The top of channel 11 is closed by the main surface of partition 8, except at the center where fluid communication is made between the receptacle and the channel by means of an opening 14 in an upstanding boss 15 centrally of the partition above the channel. The opening 14 is of less diameter than the width of the channel to thereby provide an annular downwardly facing valve seat 16 circumferential of the opening.

The valve opening 114 in the bottom of receptacle 1 is disposed in general alignment with the opening 2 in the top of the receptacle.

Handle 4, in unreduced diameter, extends through opening 2 and down through the tank, where it terminates a short way above opening 14. When handle 4 is hollow, it is provided with a plug .17 which is centrally threaded at 1-8 and is counter-sunk at 19', as shown. If handle 4 is solid, similar threads and a counter-sunk portion are formed directly in the lower end thereof.

A stud 20 is adapted to be adjustably and threadibly received by threads 18, with the stud extending downwardly through opening 14. As shown, the main central body portion of stud 20 is substantially smaller than the opening 14 through which it passes so that liquid can pass downwardly through the opening when the valve is opened.

The upper portion of stud 20 receives a rivet-like spring seat 21 which has a lower cupped flange or lip 22 adapted to receive one end of a coil spring 23- which encircles the stud. The other end of spring 23 engages the countersunk portion 19 of the handle plug 17.

The lower end of stud 20 extends through opening 14 and below valve seat 16, and is provided with an enlarged head 24. Adjacent head 24, the stud is reduced in diameter at 25 to receive a valve washer 26 of neoprene or other material suitable for sealing against the valve seat. When the valve is closed, washer 26 is confined between head 24 and seat 16, as shown in FIG. 3. Stud 20 serves as a valve rod which moves valve member 26 axially between open and closed position under the bias- .ing force of spring 23.

As in the above referred to copending application, a liquid distributing roller 27 is rotatably mounted in the side walls of receptacle 1 below discharge holes 13. Roller 27 has a rigid core with a thick surface of resilient synthetic sponge-like material such as polyurethane sponge, and is mounted on a relatively small shaft 28.

Brushes 29 are mounted fore and aft of roller 27 and parallel thereto by means of a frame 30 which provides a sub-assembly of the roller and brushes which is removable from the receptacle 1. These brushes 29 will be in brushing contact with the surface over which the roller is compressedly translated during operation of the apparatus.

vDuring use of the mechanism, handle 4 will be manually pushed downwardly during a forward stroke of the unit and which will open the valve 16, as shown in FIG. 4, at which time liquid will flow from the upper tank and through opening 14 to channel 11, and hence through holes 13 and onto the top of roller 27. 'The roller in deforming under pressure contact with the rug will cause foaming of the liquid, and the foam will then be deposited onto the surface of the rug and brushed thereinto.

It is clear from FIGS. 3 and 4 that downward pressure on handle 4 will be transmitted to roller 27 through spring 23, seat 21 and partition 8. This downward pressure will also serve to compress spring 23 to permit lowering of the handle relative to receptacle 1. This will cause handle 4 to slide within the bearing-like walls 3 of opening 2, and stud 2%] will therefore be lowered to release washer 26 from seat 16.

-To increase the speed with which liquid is supplied to distributor strip 12, a small slot 32 is disposed in the upper end of the boss 15 which forms opening 14. When the valve is closed, liquid from the tank can therefore fill the opening and penetrate to just behind Washer 26.

By providing the seat 16 and valve member 26 flat so that the valve closure is made by a sealing contact of these two elements under the bias of spring 23 in a plane normal to the axis of rod 29 and handle 4, it is possible to provide for substantial manufacturing and assembly tolerances. This fact coupled with the substantial difference in diameter of rod 26 and hole 14 permits a misalignment of the rod and handle 4 in assembly that compensates for wide tolerances. This becomes important where the rigid handle 4 extends downwardly to near the valve under the guiding influence of bearing flange 3 which may not always have the identical relation with partition 8 that would provide accurate alignment between flange opening 2 and valve opening 14.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, means may be provided to permit selective locking of the dispensing valve in the closed position.

This locking means is actuated merely by rotating handle 4 relative to the rest of the applicator. purpose, the upper circular edge of bearing 3 forms a cam surface having a pair of diametrically opposed downwardly extending V-shaped grooves 33 therein. Handle 4 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed projections 34 which may be the ends of a generally horizontal pin 35 which extends through the handle. A cover or cap 36 is mounted over the bearing 3 in any suitable manner and has an opening for receiving the handle 4.

When handle 4 is turned so that projections 34 ride adjacent the top edge of bearing 3, as shown in FIG. 3, the dispensing valve is held in closed position at all times. If the handle is turned so that projections 34 are normally above grooves 33, the valve will open upon pressing of handle 4 downwardly, and the projections will enter the grooves as shown in FIG. 4, thereby providing normal automatic operation. The projections are normally in the plane of the bearing edge.

Handle 4 can be turned by an operator in standing position, with no stooping or bending necessary.

The molds for the parts are simple and the number of parts for assembly are few, thereby greatly reducing the cost of manufacture as compared to the construction shown in the copending application.

In operation the construction is more rigid than that of the above-identified copending application, and elfectively resists deformation when the operator uses two hands on the handle and bears downwardly in operation.

Any yielding of the bearing flange 3 in slight distortion under such downward pressure on the handle will not interfere with actauation of valve rod 2!) and valve member 26. Thus the construction maintains alignment between handle 4 and receptacle 1 under normal operating forces.

For this Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

We claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising:

a receptacle for liquid detergent mix and having a valve opening in its bottom and an opening in its top generally aligned with said valve opening,

a rigid handle extending downwardly through said top opening and journalled therein for axial reciprocation relative to the receptacle,

a valve seat facing downwardly and encircling said valve opening,

a valve closing member disposed to engage said seat to close the valve opening and to move axially away from said seat to open the same,

said seat lying in a plane substantially normal to said valve opening,

rigid means carrying said valve member and extending upwardly loosely through said valve opening and rigidly secured to the lower end of said handle,

and spring means disposed between the bottom of said receptacle and the lower end of said handle and biasing said handle upwardly to effect normal closing of said valve opening.

2. The construction of claim 1 wherein:

said receptacle is molded of synthetic plastic material,

and the top opening is integrally flanged upwardly to provide a bearing support for said handle.

3. The construction of claim 2 which includes:

a projection extending from the said handle and normally disposed generally in the plane of the edge of the said bearing support,

and a groove in the said edge for receiving said projection when the said handle is reciprocated downwardly,

said handle being manually rotatable relative to the said bearing support to selectively position the projection above said edge or in registry with said groove.

4. The construction of claim 1 wherein:

said first-named means constitutes a valve rod,

and said spring means comprises a coil compression spring encircling said rod between the bottom of said receptacle and the lower end of said handle.

5. The construction of claim 1 in which:

said first-named means comprises a stud threaded axially into the lower end of said handle,

said valve member is a washer having a flat side engaging said seat and a diameter substantially greater than said valve opening, and

said stud having a head at its lower end carrying said valve member.

References Cited in the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A DEVICE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED COMPRISING: A RECEPTACLE FOR LIQUID DETERGENT MIX AND HAVING A VALVE OPENING IN ITS BOTTOM AND AN OPENING IN ITS TOP GENERALLY ALIGNED WITH SAID VALVE OPENING, A RIGID HANDLE EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY THROUGH SAID TOP OPENING AND JOURNALLED THEREIN FOR AXIAL RECIPROCATION RELATIVE TO THE RECEPTACLE, A VALVE SEAT FACING DOWNWARDLY AND ENCIRCLING SAID VALVE OPENING, A VALVE CLOSING MEMBER DISPOSED TO ENGAGE SAID SEAT TO CLOSE THE VALVE OPENING AND TO MOVE AXIALLY AWAY FROM SAID SEAT TO OPEN THE SAME, SAID SEAT LYING IN A PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO SAID VALVE OPENING, RIGID MEANS CARRYING SAID VALVE MEMBER AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY LOOSELY THROUGH SAID VALVE OPENING AND RIGIDLY SECURED TO THE LOWER END OF SAID HANDLE, AND SPRING MEANS DISPOSED BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF SAID RECEPTACLE AND THE LOWER END OF SAID HANDLE AND 